Mr. Oldham, printing engineer of the Bank of England, distinguished for mechanical ingenuity, has contrived a convenient machine for cutting the edges of books, banknotes, &c. either truly square or polygonal, with mathematical precision. [Fig. 144.] represents an end elevation of the machine. [Fig. 145.] a side view of the same, the letters of reference indicating the same parts of the machine in each of the figures.
a, is the top cross bar with rectangular grooves b b; c c, are side posts; d d, cross feet to the same, with strengthening brackets; e e, a square box, in which the press stands, for holding waste cuttings. [Fig. 146.] is a cross section of the upright posts, c c, taken horizontally. There are rectangular grooves in the upright posts, for the projecting ends of the cast iron cross bracket f, to slide up and down in. In the middle of the under-side of this piece f, there is a boss, within which is a round recess, to receive the top of the screw g, which works in the cast iron cross piece h, similarly made with the former, but bolted firmly to the posts c c. Upon the screw g there is a circular handle or ring i, for partially turning the screw, and immediately over it cross holes for tightening the press by means of a lever bar. Upon the cross piece f, is bolted the board j, and upon each end of this board is made fast the rabbetted pieces k k, for another board l, to slide in. Across the middle of this board, and parallel to the pieces k k, the tongue piece m, is made fast, which fits into a groove in the bottom of board l. A horizontal representation of this is seen at [fig. 147.] and immediately under this view is also seen an end view of l, and f, connected together, and a side view of f by itself. In the middle of the board l, is a pin for a circular board n, to turn upon, and upon this latter board is placed the “material to be cut,” with a saving piece between it, and the circular piece which is to be divided upon its edge into any number of parts required, with a stationary index on the board l, to point to each.
It will now be understood that the “material to be cut,” may be turned round upon the centre pin of the board n, and also that both it and the board can be shifted backward and forward under the top cross piece a, and between the side slide slips k k, the surfaces of which should also be divided into inches and tenths.
The plough, [fig. 148.], shown in several positions, is made to receive two knives or cutters as the “material to be cut” may require, and which are situated in the plough as I now describe. The plough is composed of three principal parts, namely, the top, and its two sides. The top o, is made the breadth of the cross piece a, and with a handle made fast thereon. The sides p p, are bolted thereto, with bolts and nuts through corresponding holes in the top and sides. The figures below give inside views, and cross sections of the details of the manner in which the cutters and adjustments are mounted. A groove is cut down each cheek or side, in which are placed screws that are held at top and bottom from moving up and down, but by turning they cause the nuts upon them to do so; they are shown at q q. These nuts have each a pin projecting inwards, that go into plain holes made in the top ends of cutters r r. The [148th.] and following figs. are 1⁄4 in scale.
The cutters, and the work for causing them to go up and down, are sunk into the cheeks, so as to be quite level with their inner surfaces. [Fig. 149.] shows one of those screws apart, how fixed, and with moveable nut and projecting pin. The top of each screw terminates with a round split down, and above it a pinion wheel and boss thereon, also similarly split. This pinion fits upon the split pin. [Above], there is cross section of a hollow coupling cap with steel tongue across, that fits into both the cuts of the screw pin and pinion boss, so that when lowered upon each other, they must all turn together. In the middle and on the top of the upper piece o, the larger wheel s, runs loose upon its centre, and works into the two pinion-wheels t t. The wheel s has a fly-nut with wings mounted upon it.